Recent findings from the Annie E. Casey Foundation’s 2026 Kids Count Data Book have spotlighted a significant issue facing South Dakota: a troubling rise in the number of young children not participating in early childhood education. The report reveals that 64% of 3- and 4-year-olds in South Dakota are not in school, marking a 4 percentage point increase in just five years.
State Rankings and Statistics
In terms of educational outcomes, South Dakota ranks 38th among U.S. states, a concerning figure suggesting room for substantial improvement. Yet, on a more positive note, the state has improved its overall ranking for children’s well-being to 22nd place, climbing three spots from the previous year. This comprehensive ranking takes into account economic well-being, education, health, and family & community factors.
In response to these statistics, Xanna Burg, director of Kids Count in South Dakota, emphasizes the urgent need for legislative reform. “There’s been a lot of policy interest, but not a lot of policy changes in early childhood and childcare,” she states, asserting that proactive legislation is essential for preparing young children for the challenges of the future.
National Implications
South Dakota is not an isolated case; the decline in key education indicators such as fourth-grade reading and eighth-grade math scores is a national trend. According to Leslie Boissiere, vice president for external affairs at the Annie E. Casey Foundation, the COVID-19 pandemic has left lasting imprints on education, affecting children’s performance nationwide.
Xanna Burg
A pivotal theme in Boissiere’s commentary is the call for policymakers to leverage data to make informed decisions. “We encourage all policymakers to look at the data on children in their states… and to invest in those policies and programs,” says Boissiere, pointing towards evidence-based strategies as a path forward.
Insurance Concerns Amid Medicaid Changes
Another critical issue facing South Dakota is the number of uninsured children. The report indicates potential exacerbation due to new federal work requirements affecting Medicaid coverage. Concerns arise as changes in parents’ Medicaid or health insurance can have a ripple effect, influencing the entire family’s access to healthcare. Burg voices anxiety over these shifts: “Even if things like work requirements… might not apply to children, when you make changes to children’s parents’ Medicaid or health insurance coverage, it has an effect on the whole family’s coverage.”
Leslie Boissiere
The Call for Action
The 2026 Kids Count Data Book, aside from ranking states, introduced a new scoring scale from 0 to 1,000, with South Dakota scoring 602. This score not only surpasses the national average of 547 but also serves as a tool for states to benchmark progress and identify trends. The data underlines the state’s pressing need to enhance support for early childhood education, ensuring all children have access to quality educational foundations.
South Dakota’s government and community leaders are now at a crossroads, where the implementation of data-driven policies could transform educational outcomes and overall well-being for the state’s youngest residents.